Where does Shinkansen leave from Tokyo?

Where is Shinkansen station in Tokyo? The famous Shinkansen trains stop at Tokyo and Shinagawa stations, but Tokyo rail station prides itself on being the city's main Shinkansen terminal. You can find it at 1 Chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo.



The Shinkansen (bullet train) departs from three primary hubs within the Tokyo metropolitan area in 2026: Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, and Ueno Station. Tokyo Station is the grand terminal and the starting point for almost all lines, including the Tokaido (toward Kyoto/Osaka), Tohoku (toward Aomori), and Hokuriku (toward Kanazawa) lines. Shinagawa Station, located in the southern part of the city, is a more convenient boarding point for those staying in Shibuya or Shinjuku and heading west toward Nagoya or Osaka. Ueno Station serves as a vital sub-hub for travelers heading north toward Hokkaido or the Japanese Alps. When navigating these massive stations, follow the bright green "Shinkansen" signs, which are separate from the local JR and Metro lines. In 2026, most platforms are equipped with English-language digital displays and high-tech "Ekiben" (station bento) shops where you can purchase a meal before boarding. For a stress-free departure, aim to arrive at the station at least 20 minutes early, as these platforms are often located deep within the station complex and require several minutes of walking to reach.

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Where Can I Board the Shinkansen? Platforms 14 through 23 at Tokyo Station are for all Shinkansen trains. Platforms 14-19 are for the Tokaido shinkansen and Sanyo shinkansen trains. Travelers headed to cities in western Japan like Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima will board from these platforms.

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While Japan's famous Shinkansen bullet trains, which link the capital with Kyoto and other cities, do not stop at Shinjuku, cross-city trains can get you to Shinkansen at Ueno, Tokyo and Shinagawa stations.

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Where do bullet trains go in Japan? The Shinkansen network is very extensive, and covers the following lines: Tokyo - Osaka, Osaka - Hakata, Tokyo - Aomori, Hakata – Kagoshima, Tokyo – Niigata, Takasaki – Kanazawa, Aomori - Hokuto. Mini-shinkansen also covers Morioka – Akita and Fukushima – Shinjo lines.

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Access to the Shinkansen trains is on the Yaesu side. The ground floor level of Tokyo Station houses 20 train tracks at ten platforms. Two portions of the station are located underground, each housing four train tracks at two platforms.

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From Tokyo to the south runs the Tokaido Shinkansen line, connecting the capital with Osaka. The Sanyo Shinkansen line connects Osaka with Fukuoka and, from there, the Kyushu Shinkansen line runs through the island of Kyushu from north to south. The other six lines either take you north or inland from Tokyo.

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Where is Shinkansen station in Tokyo? The famous Shinkansen trains stop at Tokyo and Shinagawa stations, but Tokyo rail station prides itself on being the city's main Shinkansen terminal.

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There are no crowds on the intercity Shinkansen trains so free seats tend to be available. However, it is recommended to book a seat before boarding any train during the following peak seasons: April 27 to May 6. August 11-20.

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Use the bullet train Tokaido Shinkansen to travel to Mt. Fuji right from the heart of Tokyo. On the left side, you will see mesmerizing Sagami Bay, and on the right side the symbol of Japan, the highest summit of the country, perfectly symmetrical Mount Fuji.

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Do Shinkansen tickets sell out? Yes, especially for weekend travel and during peak seasons, Shinkansen services can be fully booked.

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If you miss your stop on the Shinkansen in Japan, you have a few options: You can ask the conductor to let you off at the next station. The conductor may be able to do this if there are seats available, but they are not obligated to do so.

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Eating and drinking on Japanese trains You should eat on trains only when taking a long-distance train, such as the Shinkansen. These types of trains have a tray and cup holder at every seat, and snacks are sold from a vendor trolley. When taking this type of train, it is also acceptable to bring your own food.

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In Tokyo, you can catch the Shinkansen either at Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, and then arrive to Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka. A one-way journey costs 13,620 yen (unreserved seat) or 14,340 yen (reserved seat), but with your JR Pass, you can avail of either without having to pay additional fees.

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The Shinkansen fare will be paid from your registered credit card at the time of purchase. Credit card payments need to be made by the member himself/herself; therefore card holders must be 18 or over. It is recommended to use a regular credit card for registration.

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Additional tickets must be purchased to use the Suica for travel on a limited express, express or Green Car. The Suica cannot be used for travel on the Shinkansen.

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